Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the deaths caused by a massive landslide along the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple route in Reasi district.
In a post on X, Modi described the incident as “saddening.” “My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. The administration is assisting all those affected. My prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being,” he said.
The landslide, triggered by incessant rainfall on Tuesday afternoon, struck midway on the 12-km trek from Katra to the hill shrine, killing at least 32 people and injuring several others. Authorities have suspended the pilgrimage till further orders, and teams remain on site to assist stranded devotees.
Jammu and Kashmir has been battered by heavy downpours since Tuesday, leading to widespread floods and landslides across the Union Territory. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Jammu recorded 368 mm of rainfall in a single day, among the heaviest in recent years. Rivers including the Tawi, Chenab, Jhelum and Basantar are flowing above danger levels, inundating low-lying areas and damaging infrastructure.
At least 34 deaths have been reported across the region so far. In Doda district, three people were killed in flash floods, while a cloudburst in Kishtwar washed away 10 houses and a bridge. In Kathua, more than a dozen paramilitary personnel are feared trapped in floodwaters at Lakhanpur village, officials said.
Over 3,500 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas in Jammu division. Rescue and relief operations are being carried out by the Army, NDRF, SDRF and local authorities. Meanwhile, power, water and communication services remain severely disrupted in several districts.
